I will be in Spain for 3 months traveling and learning about spice production, people, culture. cooking, customs etc. I arrive in Madrid and plan on staying in Madrid for 2 weeks beginning in Oct 2002. Where is a clean, well located plave to stay while in Madrid that is centrally located? Where is the best area for seeing the sites? restaurants? Does anyone know about a Saffron Festival whre/when? Does anyone have ideas on where to visit where to stay in Spain who to contact to learn about how spices are cultivated, produced, grown, used...etc? I would like to stay in small apts or with families.

I believe that the "Festival de Azafran" is at the end of oct(27?) in Consuegra, region of Toledo. Hope this helps.

The Fiestas de la Rosa del Azafrán are held the last weekend in October. I found the previous link through google.com and thought it would help you in your quest... Have fun!

You are so right! I found Festival de la Rosa del Azafran in Consuegra. Without your input I never would have found it. Now, Has anyone ever been there - how to get ther- where to stay- and what was their experience- I may have to make another post. I would love to go! Is it OK to send saffron back to the States?

Funny, I got so excited about your hint that it took me a few hours, not knowing Spanish of course, to find the link for a tour to Consuegra and the link to tell me about the festival- Then I notice your link....I thought How did I miss that? Then I look again to see it was your second post. So you are there with me... Thank you. Now- I do I get to Consuega for this festival and where do I stay? The tour I found was over $2,000 - Hello???? It sounded wounderful- from Taste of Spain - I would love to be a helper on the tour- Anyone have ideas of travel agents or ways to get to The Festival de la Rosa del Azafran October 27th in Consuega and where to stay? I do not have a car. Still looking for lodging in Madrid for Wednesday! I remain positive......

Here is another link to CONSUEGRA . And a link for Hotels in Consuegra . Here is the tourist office contact info: Oficina de Turismo: Cerro Calderico, s/n. Telf: 925 475 731. Fax: 925 480 288.

More hotel information (cut and paste)

Hotel Las Provincias
Carretera de Toledo (N-401), km 58.5 Telf.: 925482000
34 Habitaciones

El hotel tiene los siguientes servicios: Admite Tarjetas de Crédito - Aire Acondicionado - Bar/Cafetería - Calefacción - Discoteca - Jardín/Terraza - Parking - Piscina - Salón de Reuniones - Servicio Habitaciones 24 Horas - Teléfono - Televisión.

Hostal San Poul
Avenida Alcázar, 52 Telf.:925 482304
10 Habitaciones

El hotel tiene los siguientes servicios:
Acceso Minusválidos - Admite Tarjetas de Crédito - Aire Acondicionado - Bar/Cafetería - Calefacción - Servicio Habitaciones 24 Horas - Teléfono - Televisión - TV satélite - Video.

Casa Rural Casilda
Calle Urda, 26 Tlf: 677.39.48.72
E-mail: casildarural@wanadoo.es

Capacidad Total: 6 Personas. 2 Habt. dobles (Cama supletoria opcional en una de ellas) y 1 habt. indiv.

I haven´t been able to locate the train information despite me scouring the RENFE website. Does anyone else out there know of local bus companies that run to the Toledo area?

Don't quote me on this, but I think I read somewhere that importing saffron back to the US is not a problem (although it's a plant, it's dried and that seems to make a difference).

Yum--and have fun!